Md. expert weighs in on Petraeus investigation

Congress wants more info on probe into former CIA director's affair

Congressional leaders want to know more about what led to the sudden resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus and why they -- and the president -- were left in the dark about the investigation until hours before it went public.

Maryland Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, is slated to meet with the head of the FBI and the acting CIA director this week to assess how the investigation was handled.

The lack of explanation to lawmakers is fueling speculation and intrigue, especially among Republicans who said they believe the investigation was kept under wraps to protect the president's re-election chances.

The probe began when the FBI received a complaint from Jill Kelley, a Petraeus family friend who was receiving threatening emails. The FBI said those emails lead back to biographer Paula Broadwell and revealed her affair with Petraeus.

Petraeus admitted that his relationship with Broadwell crossed the line, but officials want to know if their affair jeopardized national security.

Broadwell's recent remarks on the Benghazi attack amplified the issue. At a recent event, she said, "I don't know if a lot of you heard this, but the CIA Annex had actually taken a couple of Libyan militia members prisoner, and they think that the attack on the consulate was an effort to try to get these prisoners back. So, that's still being vetted."

Officials revealed classified documents were found on Broadwell's computer, but both she and Petraeus denied that he provided them.

"It may be there will be an investigation into her access in an improper way to confidential and secret information," said Michael Greenberger, the head of the University of Maryland's Center for Health and Homeland Security.

Officials said there was no evidence that intelligence was compromised, but some politicians want to know why no one outside of the agency was notified before Election Day.

"It is very troubling on the face of it, but I think there are a lot of facts that need to be developed," Greenberger said.

He said despite the political firestorm brewing, it appears the investigation followed proper protocol.

"It is not appropriate for the FBI or the Justice Department, while an investigation is ongoing, to be telling third parties about what is happening," Greenberger said.

Local media outlets in Charlotte, N.C., are reporting that the FBI is searching the North Carolina home Broadwell shares with her husband and two children.